The violin, viola, double bass (contrabass) and cello (violcello) are the (modern) members of the “violin” family of instruments. They are all characterised as being stringed instruments (or “chordophones” that also include guitars and harps) also played with a bow.



The Players

Someone who plays a violin is called a “violinist” such as Itzhac Perlman, while a viola player is a “violist”, such as William Primrose, and a cello player is a “cellist” such as Yo Yo Ma. A double bass player is a “double bassist” such as Edgar Meyer.

Origins of the Family

The Violin family was developed in the sixteenth century in Italy, and may well be descended from the Libra Da Braccio, of the Viol family.

The Viol

Viol's are very closely related to the violin family, and are strongly suspected of being the ancestor of the whole violin family. Developed in the fifteenth century, they were most popular in the renaissance and baroque period. They are distinct from the Violin's for having a different body shape (sloping shoulders and a flat, fretted neck), has six strings rather then four and gut strings rather than steel.

The Double Bass Controversy

All the “Violin” family instruments are almost identical in construction, just on different scales. Debate over the veracity of the double basses claim to be part of the violin family have been answered partly by its internal construction being almost identical (when scaled up) to that of a violin's!

The Earliest Violin

The earliest incarnation of a four stringed violin (like the modern violin) was constructed by Andrea Amati in 1555, although that date is bound in speculation. Other violins have been documented earlier than that, but only had three strings.

The Golden Age of Violins

The Stradivari (Strateverius) and Guarneri del Gesù, are among the most sought-after violins by both collectors and performers. They were constructed during the eighteenth century during a time of great innovation of violin crafstmanship. The angle of the neck, and a heavier bass bar were introduced.

These instruments set the standard for all modern violins and remain to this day amongst the most valuable of historic instruments, with the same instruments (manufactured over 200 years ago) still being played by famous violists across the world.

Tones and Playing Ranges

Each instrument's range and playing style overlaps slightly with other instruments in the family, but each instrument's tone and size distinguishes it from the rest.

The violin (or “fiddle” as it is commonly known) is the smallest and highest pitched instrument of the group. It is the most commonly played of the family, and is usually tuned into perfect fifths.

The viola is similar in size to the violin, but has a much deeper and lower sound (a perfect fifth below the violin). It is frequently used for playing inner harmonies to the violin, and tends to be used less frequently for solos.

The cello being the lowest pitched of the group, and is typically found as an integral part of orchestras, quartets and chamber groups.